Exhibition games were one thing. But this was the first college game that counted for the newcomers, and freshman Perry Ellis was ready.

“The first game, it was a different environment for me,” said Ellis, who finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. “But I was confident.”

Attitude adjustment

With Michigan State next on the schedule, Tuesday in Atlanta, KU coach Bill Self wants to see a little more fire in the belly.

“It blows my mind that we are not an aggressive group,” Self said. “We are a passive group right now and we have to pick it up. I’ll keep saying it and I won’t back off of it. We’re going to play against real guys real soon.”